Wildlife consultants in Georgia are urging locals to maintain looking out for any four-foot-long lizards wandering across the Peach State. As its identify implies, the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) isn’t native to america, and it’s rapidly turning into a nuisance.
Though the black and white tegu resembles many monitor lizard species, they’re really solely distantly associated to the reptiles. The speckled omnivores can weigh upwards of 10 kilos, largely because of a food plan that repeatedly contains eggs, small animals, fruits, and greens. They’re additionally extraordinarily prolific animals, with a single feminine able to producing round 35 eggs yearly. These sometimes hatch in the course of the summer time between June and July, which means many in Georgia have an honest likelihood of recognizing a tegu within the close to future.
It’s nonetheless unclear how the tegus have been first launched into the state, though unlawful releases by unique pet house owners are the most probably rationalization. Georgia’s Division of Pure Assets (DNR) first responded to studies of the rogue reptiles in 2018, with sightings spreading ever since. Tegus are presently notably concentrated in southeastern Georgia’s Toombs and Tattnall counties, however consultants worry an absence of predators means the lizard inhabitants may quickly explode with out concerted conservation efforts. As non-native “wild” species, trapping and looking tegus is authorized in Georgia all year long.
That mentioned, the DNR nonetheless cautions hunters in opposition to coming into direct contact with the reptiles. Though not notably aggressive or harmful, tegus could carry unique parasites in addition to dangerous micro organism together with salmonella. Consultants encourage individuals to as a substitute contact the DNR in the event that they see one of many lizards, both by emailing gainvasives@dnr.ga.gov or calling (478) 994-1438.
Sadly, Georgia isn’t the one state contending with an undesirable tegu drawback. In response to an ongoing mapping mission from the U.S. Geological Survey and Georgia Southern College, residents throughout Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas have additionally reported sightings in recent times.
